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“He’s someone whose done well now for a long time as a schoolboy stepping up and playing 18s, and now an 18 playing in the 23s.

“He’s been performing well, so yes, he’s one that the club have to manage properly.

“We have to keep challenging him in the right way, but still provide support and there’ll come a time when he’s dipped into it and he realises how hard it is to get past the players in his position in the first team.”

Carlos Corberan has been the man selecting Clarke throughout this campaign for the under-23s and produced remarkable results from the teenager of late.

Just last week, Clarke provided two assists, the second of which was magical, in a 3-0 victory over Cardiff City.

Corberan works closely with Heckingbottom and academy chief Adam Underwood. The first-team head coach gave some insight into that relationship.